Α b s t r a c t
In the present study, the effectiveness of Carifend® (BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany), an alphacypermethrin- coated net, was evaluated in laboratory tests against major stored-product insects. The insecticide-treated net was adjusted at the bottom of plastic petri dishes, and adult insects were placed in each dish and exposed for different exposure intervals (1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days), after which mortality and knockdown was measured. The tests were carried out against a wide spectrum of stored-product insects, i.e. Sitophilus oryzae, Sitophilus granarius, Sitophilus zeamais, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Tribolium castaneum, Tribolium confusum, Prostephanus truncatus, Rhyzopertha dominica and Cryptolestes ferrugineus.
The results showed that O. surinamensis, R. dominica and P. truncatus were highly susceptible to Carifend®, as complete control was achieved for all three species, after 5, 14 and 5 days, respectively. Regarding Sitophilus species, S. zeamais was the most tolerant species, as mortality levels did not exceed 46%, even after 14 days of exposure. In contrast, S. oryzae and S. granarius mortality was >98% after 14 days of exposure. So far, Carifend® has been registered in many parts of the world for the protection of stored tobacco against major tobacco pests, i.e. Lasioderma serricorne and Ephestia elutella. However, our results clearly indicate that this net can be used effectively for the control of other stored-product insects that infest durable food, such as grains and related amylaceous commodities.
